Hiram Leong FONG

(1906-2004)

Senate Years of Service:

1959-1977

Party:

Republican

FONG, Hiram Leong, a
Senator from Hawaii; born in Honolulu, Hawaii, October 15, 1906;
attended public schools; graduated from the University of Hawaii in
1930 and Harvard Law School in 1935; admitted to the bar in 1935
and commenced the practice of law in Honolulu; deputy attorney for
city and county of Honolulu 1935-1938; during the Second World War
served as judge advocate of the Seventh Fighter Command of the
Seventh Air Force with rank of major 1942-1945; member of the
Territorial legislature 1938-1954, serving four years as vice
speaker and six years as speaker; vice president of the Territorial
Constitutional Convention in 1950; chairman of the board and
president of several insurance and financial institutions; engaged
in banana farming in Honolulu; elected as a Republican to the
United States Senate in 1959 upon the admission of Hawaii as a
State; reelected in 1964 and again in 1970 and served from August
21, 1959, to January 3, 1977; was not a candidate for reelection in
1976; returned to private enterprise, and served as chairman of
Finance Enterprises, Ltd.; was a resident of Kahaluu, Hawaii, until
his death due to kidney failure on August 18, 2004; interment in
Nuuanu Memorial Park and Mortuary.